The former Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) manager, indicted on charges of wire fraud this month, was allegedly done in by an email cache discovered on his laptop. 

Paul Shim Devine, who is charged with taking kickbacks of more than $1 million for passing confidential company data along to electronics companies in Asia, blew his cover via email, reports Martyn Williams of IDG News Service. Apple's investigators reportedly found cached Hotmail and Gmail messages as well as a Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Entourage database of messages on Devine's computer, detailing payments and confidential data given to a company in Singapore.

Ironically, Devine allegedly knew of the risks inherent in sending such information over email. In a Sept. 16, 2008 message, he asked the recipient to "Please avoid using that email as Apple IT team will randomly scan emails for suspicious email communications for forecast, cost and new model information."

The allegations against the former global supply manager include giving information about pricing, specs and sales forecasts for products not yet released to a minimum of six contractors.

For more:
- see Martyn Williams' article at CSO magazine

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